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SARU needs a shake-up

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Former Stormers and Stade Français lock Anton van Zyl believes that the structure of the South African Rugby Union needs a shake-up if the country is to return to being the best in the world.

Speaking on Late Tackle, the question of what he would do if he was SARU'S CEO was posed to him.

"If I were CEO, I would leave the coaches to do the coaching and then look for a something similar to the difference Paul Harris has made to SA Cricket.

"That's simply finding someone who cares incredibly deeply about South African rugby but at the same time has been very successful in their own right in whatever their previous career has been.

"I would like somebody to come in there [SARU] with nothing to lose in the role of something like Chairman of the Board of Directors, who can make every decision and drive every process for the benefit of the game, who would have an idea and a vision of how to take what we have now to that sustainable position where SA Rugby is number one in the world year in and year out.

"It won't be an easy journey and it will take some time but I believe there are people [in SA] who can facilitate the process," he said.

When questioned about whether current SARU CEO, Jurie Roux, is the right man for the job, Van Zyl pointed to the fact that a complete overhaul could be the better option.

"I definitely don't think it's one person [who is to blame for the current situation], it needs an overhaul shake-up," he added.

SARU have opted to let Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus handle the Springboks' affairs in their upcoming June Test Series against England.

"In whatever role he plays, Rassie or whoever is part of that extended management team needs to be on the same page, have exactly the same agenda to win as soon as possible - win as much as possible, as soon as possible.

"In doing so, there needs to be some sort of sustainable model that will allow the progression of South African coaches and assistant coaches for the foreseeable future," he stated.